"Digging up your lawn." Tony answered. He knows me all too well.
A team of seven adults took on my front lawn on Saturday 4/9/2011.
After a hearty breakfast of home-made Bacon waffles, we headed outside.
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we started to removed the sod, and very early into the day my neighbor came out and voiced her disapproval. I love her to pieces, but it's a shame she cannot love me for who I am. An urban homesteader with a streak for edible landscaping!
She said "You're not digging up my lawn, are you?! Do you know where the property line is?"
I put my finger in a pipe in the ground. That was the end of the property line.
She asked me if I was sure, and I nodded yes, because there's another pipe on the other side of my house to show the other property line. I told her I gave her 8" of margin, too. But the truth was, I gave her 3 feet of margin. ...le sigh. c'est la vie. I even kept the rows sodded because I thought she'd appreciate it more. Maybe in a year or two I'll go with the original plan of pea gravel so it'll be an authentic french potager.
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We were able to put in the lavender, and the red mulch, so towards the end, it came together Very nicely. :)
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Happy with the results! Half of the yard done... the other half for another day.
I am SOOOOO Sore, but it was well worth it.
People slowed down as they drove by yesterday. I can't tell if the look they were giving was good or bad. Today I notice people walking by and stopping in front to look at it... also can't tell if it's a good or bad look, but I love it.
This took two years to research. Special thanks to:
Shawna Coronado owner of the Casual Gardener Company for advice
Fritz Haeg author of edible Estates who I also emailed and received advice
Pamela Yokoyama from four seasons landscaping who helped with my mockup/design
The Mundelein building dept/Village who told me I have the green light to do this.
My friends/labor team :)